Meet Amy Sudbeck. She is Beauty Revived.

Beauty Revived is beyond excited to have joined with The Snap Society to bring you The 50 Most Inspiring Photographers. Photographers were nominated by others in their field who were beautiful examples of caring and giving back. It has been such a joy to get to know these photographers better and I’m excited to introduce you to them for the next few months.

Tell us about this photographerAmy Sudbeck is the most amazing and talented newborn and lifestyle photographer I know. She lives in my hometown and I grew up inspired by her. Little did I know my husband actually knew her!! Her work is drawdropping and ever since I was a little girl I looked up to her work. Thanks to my husband she became a close friend and a mentor. I was honored that she took me under her wing. She is so hard working and provides her clients everything that they can dream of. Amy Sudbeck deserves to be recongized for being an outstanding photographer.

How has this photographer helped you?Amy took me under her wing and mentored me in newborn photography. She taught me everything there is to know about it. From posing to lighting to how my camera works. She showed me the importance of the safety of a newborn so that I would never put a baby in a compromising position. She is my go to girl when I have a question and she has never failed me.

Why does this photographer deserve to be recognized?Amy deswrves to be recongized because she works so hard to make her clients happy. She is working 100% of the time and 100% of the time she is a mom. She deserves this more than anyone. She always going that extra mile for her clients and that alone inspires me. Everyone looks up to her as a photographer, a mom, and a friend. Amy Sudbeck is hands down amazing and deserves this more then anyone I know.

How did you get started in photography? Or tell us about the moment when you knew that photography was for you.I am so honored and humbled to be completing this survey for you. My journey began when my second son was born eight years ago. I became a mother to my first-born son at a very young age and at the time, as a teenage mother, pictures were not at the top of my priority list. I was busy trying to figure out how to survive and provide for my son. While pregnant with my second son, it saddened me thinking about how many pictures I did not have of my first son. Just after my second son was born I purchased a Nikon D40x with a kit lens. It was nothing special but it was definitely a start. I took pictures every single day of everything that I possibly could. Before I knew it friends and family members were asking me to take pictures of their children too!

My childhood was a struggle, as are the childhoods of many others. I own exactly one photograph of myself as a baby. No one is really sure how old I am in the photo but if I had to guess I would say anywhere between 6-8 months. This photograph stays pinned to my wall in my office and I look at it every day. I do not know what I look like as a newborn or as a toddler. I do not know what my mother looks like while she was pregnant with me. I would give anything to see her joy if she felt any. I do not even own a single portrait of my parents together. I cannot pull out the baby books for my children to show them how much they look like me compared to their father. I would give anything to be able to. This is where my passion comes from for newborn and baby photography. Of course I want to provide beautiful portraits and memories for my clients, but my true motivation is for the newborn or baby that I am working with on that day. I want them to know what they looked like and to see the joy and love that their parents felt during that specific time. It is so very important.

How did you figure out your Photography/editing style?My style comes from my passion for capturing relationships. Of course for newborn sessions I strive to capture all of the cute and sleepy poses (many of which are composites for safety purposes) however, I am always sure to edit with a soft and warm tone. Newborn babies are soft and warm and so totally loveable and this should show in their portraits.

I strive with each session to capture the personality of each baby and toddler. I prefer warm and soft tones as the love and relationship within a family should be just that, warm and soft. I have taken many workshops and have heavily educated myself in photography and posing. Throughout my journey of learning (which still continues today) I am always sure to never lose sight of the emotion and love that should show in my portraits.

My approach is the same with wedding photography. I want my brides and grooms to look at their portraits years from their wedding day and remember exactly how they felt that day.

What has been your biggest setback?Time. I spent years trying to find the right balance. Between motherhood, being a wife, and housekeeping, running a photography business can feel near impossible at times.

I eventually learned over time that being a full time photographer is a lifestyle. I am a mother, a wife, a housekeeper, and a professional 24 hours per day. I have no problem stirring dinner on the stove while sorting galleries through Lightroom and running batch scripts in Photoshop.

What gives you the passion to keep going?I have always been a very ambitious person. I have never been a quitter and when there are times where I feel like giving up, I tell myself to work harder. I look at that one picture of myself on my wall in my office and remind myself that all of these beautiful babies that I have been blessed to work with deserve so much more.

There are many new photographers in my area that I love to work with. I am always open to answering questions and providing advice as much as I can. I believe that I have a gift and I feel it is incredibly rewarding to be able to help and share as much as I can.

The financial need to buy groceries, diapers, and pay the tutoring bill is definitely motivating as well.

What is one thing you wish every Photographer knew? BE YOURSELF! There is no right and wrong when it comes to your style in photography. Sure there are technical things that you can learn to improve your skill. Learn how to use your camera in ways that compliment YOUR VISION.

I have been a part of many photography ‘groups’ that claim to exist for the sole purpose of sharing and helping others. When a new photographer is brave enough to post a photo from a session it appalls me with the comments and criticism given. There is such a thing as corrective criticism. Unfortunately many people lack that skill set.

You may have experienced this at some point. If you have, KEEP GOING!

We would love for you to give us one tip, any tip regarding Photography.

There are so many tips I could share. For now I will go with the following tip as I just completed a newborn session before sitting down to answer these questions.

With newborn photography always remember that the baby dictates the session. If the baby is fussy, hungry, pooping, or peeing on you, it is COMPLETELY OKAY! They are doing exactly what they should be doing at that time. Be patient. If they need to nurse for 45 minutes before you even begin your session, then let them. If you let them dictate your session it will go much smoother.

Just one more tip… SHOOT IN RAW! There are tons of free resources available online to teach you just how to do so. I promise it is not as intimidating as it sounds.

What is a quote you live by?

I have two.
“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture
“Don’t complain; just work harder.”
― Randy Pausch

What is your next Photography goal?I am planning to launch an educational website for fellow photographers. I have been planning this for quite some time and will be launching in July! I am very excited for this and hope to serve as many aspiring and existing photographers as I possibly can.

Quick Fire Questions Favorite color?

Burgundy

Favorite lens?

35mm 1.8

Lightroom or Photoshop?

Both

Favorite midnight snack?

Chubby Hubby

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

20 Minutes. I’m a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl 🙂

If you were stranded on a desert Island and could only bring one thing, what would it be?

My camera bag which would conveniently have a bottle of smart water in it.

Comments

Hi I was looking over the galleries and I really liked them I would like to know of prices ? If it’s possible because I’m almost close to my due date and I would like to have newborn pictures of my baby